Method and means for minimizing printing ink oxidation



, Jan. 8, 1957 W. B. FRANKLIN METHOD AND MEANS FOR MINIMIZING PRINTING INK OXIDATION Filed May 3, 1952 FIG. i.

iNVENTOR United States Patent METHOD AND MEANS FOR MINIMIZING PRINTING INK OXIDATION William B. Franklin, Eagle Rock, Calif. Application May 3, 1952, Serial No. 285,965

1 Claim. (Cl. 222-205) This invention relates to a practical method and means of minimizing printing ink film due to oxidation (commonly called scum) and overcoming many resultant inconveniences common'to printers working with ink.

in general practice printing ink is removed from either one or five pound cans and then applied to the press or printing operation with a putty knife. If an ink fountain is used, all or part of the ink is transfered to the press fountain, and after the work is completed the ink left over is returned to the can. For a short run only a very little ink is transfered from the can to the press at intervals as needed. The above operations expose the ink left in the can to oxidation and the formation of ink film on the surface. Particles of film that get into the printing operation cause much difficulty and result in considerable loss of the operators time. To remove the film from the can before using any ink takes time, and in some cases is impossible. The loss of ink discarded as film is sometimes as high as 50%; a very costly waste of time and material.

Most ink cans are fitted with telescoping lids, which are extremely difficult to reopen when stuck shut with oxidized ink. This inconvenience is, of course, to be expected when the usual practice of transferring ink back and forth from the can is used. It is quite common practice for pressmen to pry the stuck lids oil with a screwdriver. This practice increases the oxidation of the remainder of the ink, as the can is never again air tight. Not only is the surface of the ink spoiled but the remainder is partially deteriorated, and very unlike ink that comes from a freshly opened can containing the proper amount of chemical driers, and which is just the right consistency for printing.

To purchase ink in tubes instead of cans is only a partial remedy for several reasons. First, most suppliers have discontinued sale of tubes due to the cost of packaging in this manner, and when it is procurable the cost is approximately double. Second, it is impractical to replace unused ink back in the tube. This necessitates purchase of duplicate inks in cans for fountain use on longer runs.

Many attempts have been made to solve the problem of ink film, but all have proven impractical in practice as they are not used by many printers.

My invention is a simple, practical solution to the above mentioned difficulties and effects a substantial saving of time and ink by the prevention of ink film.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method as well as a means that is practical because it is simple for a workman to use, requiring no additional effort for the elimination of ink film.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of saving the ink which would otherwise be discarded as ink film.

Another means for this invention is to eliminate the time consumed in removing ink film.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ink conserving device which is so inexpensive that a new can be used with each pound of ink at a cost amounting to'only a small fraction of the value of the ink saved.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and means for reducing the cost of ink to the printer by making practical the purchase of a larger part of his ink in five pound cans instead of one pound cans, if he choses to save the difference in cost per pound which is usually substantial.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressman with a simple operating means that works equally well when printing with or without an ink fountain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple method and means for transferring ink to the press in a workmanlike manner with ease and despatch and without getting ink on the outside of the can so that the lid of the can will always open and close freely.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of keeping the ink for a longer time in its original condition and consistency without deterioration.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide an article of manufacture for the prevention of ink film that can be used with standard ink containers. Either :the cans of ink that the printer now has, or any he may'purchase from his usual suppliers.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a top view of a round disc which I call a separator as its function is to separate the ink from the oxygen in the air. It is placed on the inside of the ink can and lies flat in contact with the ink.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 are top views of different forms of disc separators which each work exactly as Fig. 1 but are adaptable to cans which have reinforced rims.

Fig. 4, Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 are horizontal views of Fig. 3, 5, and 7 respectively.

' Fig. 9 is the telescopic lid for the can of Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a cut-away horizontal diagram of an ink can with a reinforced rim 12 at the top of the can and containing a separator 14 in position for use against ink 13.

In Fig. 1 as well as in Figs. 3, S, and 7, the outside diameter of the disc separator fits snugly into the inside of the ink can. The inside diameter of the ink can determines the diameter of the separator. The separator l of Fig. 1 can be made of cardboard, wood, metal, plastic, fiber or any fairly rigid material. In the center of the separator disc is an opening 2 through which ink is extruded when pressure is exerted against the top of the separator by ones fingers or a suitable tool. This hole can be round or any suitable shape. The ink is then easily removed with a putty knife to the press without getting ink on the outside of the can. This opening 2 could have a closure, but I have found it more practical to close this opening, when not in use, by merely placing a scrap of paper over the hole and against the ink, which effects a suitable seal, and which can be discarded when removed. Tabs 3 and 4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3, or Fig. 5 are merely strips of tag board or index bristol attached to the disc 1. They are for raising or easy removal of the disc separator from the can to replace unused ink. When all of the ink has been used, and the disc is on the bottom of the can, the disc is thrown away with the empty can.

By the use of this separator ink film is prevented, and all of the disadvantages outlined are overcome. It combines the advantages of both tubes and cans without their disadvantages.

As most ink cans are made with a reinforcing rim 12 of Fig. 10, some inconvenience results in forcing the disc past the rim of the canto proper position. Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 overcome, this. by the use of flexible or pliable edges 7 of Fig. 3, 8 of Fig. 5, and 9 of Fig. 7 respectively. Fig. 3 is made of two discs glued together. Part 1 of Fig. 3 is cardboard, 701? Fig. 3 is cork, rubber, or pliable plastic. In Fig. the edges at the circumference of the disc 1 are coated with a flexible material such as printing roller composition, rubber, or pliable plastic. In Fig. 7 the entire disc separator as Well as the tabs for removal 10 and 11 are. molded in one piece of a pliable plastic, an example of which would be polyvinyl chloride. They could be made of any material that would make the body of the disc somewhat rigid but the edges at the circumference flexible due to less thickness at that point as, illustrated in Fig. 8.

It is possible that this invention may also be suitable for certain paints particularly oil paints as are used by artists.

While I have thus described myinvention with great particularity, it will be clear that the same may be modified throughout a wide range.

I accordingly do not propose to be limited to the exact designs shown on the drawing and described in the specification, but reserve the rights in practice to make the necessary changes and modifications therein, which may come within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A disposable means for minimiz n oxidation of printing ink, comprising a laminated fiat annulus having a central opening therein for the extrusion of ink by pressure on its upper surface, said annulus adapted to snugly fit inside a can of ink and comprising at least two layers, the uppermost layer being relatively stiff and the lowermost layer being relatively flexible, the lowermost layer being of a slightly greater diameter than the upper layer and also exceeding in diameter the internal diameter of the can whereby a circumferential beveled flexible sealing effect is created when the annulus is inserted in a can, past the inturned upper rim of same, an adhesive joining the layers, said adhesive adjacent the central opening but not extending to the circumference of the layers whereby a desired outer flexibility of the lowermost lamination results.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,873 Brodsky Jan. 22, 1929 1,978,025 McCown Oct. 23, 1934 2,149,183 Reilley Feb. 28, 1939 2,301,933 Eberhart Nov. 17, 1942 2,371,332 Jacobson Mar. 13, 1945 2,601,169 Purvis June 17, 1952 2,656,953 Rich Oct. 27, 1953 2,660,491 Sundholm Nov. 24, 1953 

